So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

What relationship? She was nothing more than his plaything kept in the villa, something he couldn't show to anyone. There was no other relationship between them.

Ning Yu didn't want to talk about this topic, and said in a hoarse voice, "I know you are a good man. It was an imperial decree that we were married. We are husband and wife, and you are good to me."

"Now that things have come to this, the Xie family will find you a new wife, someone of equal social standing."

"Ayu, on what grounds?" he interrupted her.

Yes, why? Why did he just let her go like that?

Ning Yu dared not look at him, nor could she tell him to leave first. The eldest son of the Xie family had been pampered since childhood, born as the eldest son of the Xie family, and had received the best education in the clan. He never thought that his smooth life would encounter such a thing.

It's all her fault. She ruined both of them with a single wrong decision. If she had known Xie Yan wouldn't die, she would have rather died than provoke Xie Xun.

Now that such a big commotion has happened, she went back to the Xie family with him, genuinely afraid that the Xie family would take action against her.

"It's my fault." She lowered her head, her eyes red.

Xie Yan didn't want to hear her say such useless things. "I've been with Xie Xun in the north for many years and I know his temperament. This isn't your fault. It's my fault for coming back too late and for being blind and not noticing your abnormality. I failed to protect you during our trip to Qingzhou."

Ning Yu couldn't stand his words; they made her feel utterly ashamed. She would rather he cursed her or wanted to kill her than tolerate her like this.

"We both had our difficulties back then, but ultimately I'm the one who wronged you. Xie Xun and I were just making a deal. He and I—"

Before he could finish speaking, a man's voice, whose emotion was indistinct, came from the archway not far away.

"Sister-in-law, you've said so much, why don't you just tell my brother what our relationship is?"

The moonlight illuminated the courtyard. Ning Yu was startled and quickly looked up towards the archway, following the sound, and saw the figure standing there.

Dressed in a black robe, exuding elegance and nobility, adorned with rusted purple-gold unicorns, his once unapproachable face now possessed a cold and aloof air, with a slight upturn at the corners of his eyes adding a touch of wickedness.

The person had been standing there for who knows how long. All the guards and maids in the courtyard had disappeared. It was empty and devoid of any human presence. All that could be seen were the green hills and clear waters, and the lush flowers and plants.

The cold wind howled from all sides, and the air in the courtyard seemed to freeze. For a moment, even breathing seemed to be inaudible.

She was so nervous and scared that she almost bit her tongue, and subconsciously kept some distance from Xie Yan.

Xie Yan had already looked up at the sound, and their eyes met. He stared at her intently for a long while before saying, "Xie Xun, are you crazy?!"

As a fellow man, Xie Yan had sensed Xie Xun's intense hostility on the day he returned. It wasn't hostility towards the Xie family's title or Northwest politics, but rather hostility towards him as a person. Now, thinking back, he realized why.

Xie Xun didn't speak, but his eyes lingered on Ning Yu's face. Looking at her all-black attire and recalling what she had said, he slowly walked over.

I was lying to him; I was definitely lying to him.

As the distance gradually closed, Ning Yu suddenly realized something.

He did it on purpose. He knew Xie Yan would come all along and deliberately tested whether she would come with him. No wonder he warned her last night. But what did she say in front of Xie Yan?!

Ning Yu dared not think about what she had just been thinking or what she had blurted out; her heart was pounding wildly.

The night breeze brushed past the two of them, and Xie Yan suddenly pulled her away, a knife appearing in his hand, which he held to Xie Xun's face.

"You kidnapped your own sister-in-law and forced her to fake her death—what are you trying to do, committing such heinous acts?!"

Xie Xun had never seen his good-tempered brother lose his temper before. Looking at the sharp knife pressed against his face, he laughed and said, "You've taken a fancy to your woman. How about giving her to me?"

Ning Yu was startled and looked at her. The moonlight shone on her face, making it appear extremely pale.

What is he saying?! How can he be so infuriatingly nonchalant?

No wonder he dared to keep her so openly in another courtyard; he wasn't afraid of people finding out, nor was he afraid of Xie Yan coming after him.

He sensed her restlessness and, taking advantage of the situation, arranged for Xie Yan to find her.

He was forcing her, telling her that in this world, no one but him would dare to take her in, and that she had no choice but to follow him.

Even if she finds Xie Yan, it won't make a difference!

"ah---"

A sharp, gleaming blade flashed blindingly. She saw a white light suddenly slice across Xie Xun's face. In the biting cold wind, the two figures moved so fast that they were almost invisible.

Xie Xun slightly lifted his eyelids to look, "Does Big Brother want to kill me?"

With a clang, the hilt of the knife fell to the ground. Xie Yan said coldly, "I'm just trying to wake you up."

"Xie Xun, you don't want to be impeached again in court tomorrow for the rebellion in Ji Province. Curb your arrogance. Not everyone in the Xie family wants to bear the infamy of being a traitor."

Threaten him?!

Xie Xun was never afraid of threats in his life. He scoffed, "Big brother, this matter is no longer something you can decide. Threatening me with something like this won't work."

Xie Yan's face was more grim than ever before. "Do you even respect me as your older brother?"

Xie Xun kicked the knife away from the ground, his gaze fixed on Ning Yu, and he smiled faintly, "Ask her if she'll stay with me or with you?"

Ning Yu was taken aback when Xie Xun threw this matter back at her. The moment the two men looked over, she instinctively took a step back.

"Ayu, I don't care what you're thinking or how things have developed. Now come back to the Xie family with me."

Ning Yu wanted to go back to the Xie family with him, but now that their relationship was laid bare, she didn't want him to remember her intimate relationship with Xie Xun when they were in the same room.

Moreover, she also had concerns: would Xie Xun let her off so easily? Would this scandal cause a huge uproar in the Xie family, leaving her utterly ashamed?

Her eyes unconsciously drifted towards Xie Xun's direction. His expression was calm, and his gaze remained serene throughout, yet it still gave her a sense of dread.

After spending a lot of time together, she naturally realized that Xie Xun's outward expression was not what he was thinking.

She wished she had more legs so she could leave this place of trouble as soon as possible; she wanted to get as far away from both of them as possible.

"Is it hard to choose?" Xie Xun looked at her and curled his lips. "Do you want me to choose for you?"

Ning Yu had had enough of his arrogant attitude and said coldly, "Since the Governor is willing to give me my freedom, then let's go."

A sinister glint flashed in Xie Xun's eyes as he stared at the two men expressionlessly.

As Xie Yan pulled Ning Yu away, he glanced back at the man and said, "You come with me too, back to the Xie family."

A cold, sharp glint appeared in Xie Xun's eyes and brows as he asked in a chilling voice, "Do you think either of you can leave here today?"

Ning Yu felt a chill run down her spine, realizing something, and looked up.

All around the courtyard, the eaves, tall trees, and artificial hills were densely packed with archers. The intense pressure of their shooting, along with their unstoppable momentum, drew in, and the cold, sharp arrows were all aimed at the two men.